By In 1983, an 11-year-old girl named Tracey Waters was murdered. Over the next few years, her family fought for justice, with suspicions falling on her uncle – Adam McDermott.
However, McDermott vanished in 2001. Some believe he is innocent, while others believe he got away with murder.
This article reviews McDermott’s disappearance. There is a reader’s poll at the end of the article, which we invite you to vote on.
Background
Tracey Waters was 11-years-old at the time of her death. She was living in a small village called Johnstone, in Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Tracey was out on the 14th February 1983. Reports differ as to why she was out – it was either to find her mother, or to attend a local youth club.
At some point, Tracey went missing. She was reported as missing in the evening of the 14th February. Unfortunately, the following day her lifeless body was found.
Her body was found underneath a hedge in the village where she lived – around half a mile away from her home. She was found beaten and strangled.
A widescale murder investigation took place. In this rather quiet area of Scotland, this event was out of the ordinary, although a murder had previously taken place in the area two years prior.
There was a witness to suggest that a man was seen running away from near where Tracey’s body was found. But otherwise, there are few details on the investigation into Tracey’s murder.
Suspicion fell on 27-year-old Adam McDermott – who was Tracey’s uncle. He lived just 2 miles away in the small village of Kilbarchan.
McDermott was arrested and charged with her murder in March 1983. However, he was released just two months later due to insufficient evidence. No one else was ever charged in relation to Tracey’s death.
Many people in the area were convinced that McDermott had murdered Tracey. Vigilantes targeted his home, he was ostracised from the community, and death threats were commonplace.
Over the next 18 years, McDermott kept a rather low profile, but the threats and harassment continued from the local community.
The Disappearance
In October 2001, McDermott was aged 45, and located at his Kilbarchan home. He said that he was going to the Post Office in order to collect his benefits.
McDermott left with a rucksack in casual clothing. It didn’t look as if he was planning to go anywhere other than the post office.
However, McDermott didn’t make it to the post office. Furthermore, he didn’t ever return. He was reported as missing after he failed to return in the evening.
The Investigation
The Police found out that McDermott hadn’t collected his benefits from the Post Office. This led to confusion – and the reality that McDermott had vanished.
Employees at the Post Office had no recollection of anyone matching McDermott’s appearance appearing on that day.
A search for McDermott was organised. Hilly areas were searched, as was local woodland. The search extended into other villages and rivers, but there was no sign of him.
As time passed, it seemed as if there was no sign of McDermott. The search was eventually scaled down, with McDermott’s disappearance being left unsolved.
Later Developments
The Police continue to have an active file on McDermott’s disappearance. However, many believe he is now dead. Others believe he is still alive.
There are very different theories on the case. Some believe that McDermott is deceased – having taken his own life due to guilt. Others believe he was innocent.
In the years since Adam McDermott vanished, his sister – Tracey’s mother – Margaret Waters, has claimed she is certain that Adam murdered Tracey.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Margaret says that she doesn’t think her sibling is dead, instead saying “I think he’s hiding somewhere.”
Additionally, some have suggested McDermott is a suspect in the 1981 murder of Pamela Hastie – also in the local area. There is the possibility that McDermott was a career criminal.
Officially, Tracey Waters’ murder and Adam McDermott’s disappearance remain unsolved. McDermott’s whereabouts are unknown.
Theories
There isn’t much evidence to work with in this disappearance. But there are a few theories that have been put forward.
We take a look at the evidence for these theories:
Theory One: Adam McDermott remains alive and at large
McDermott’s whereabouts remain unknown. Considering he vanished in 2001, it has been over two decades since he disappeared. Is it feasible that his body would not be found all of this time?
Outside of the Glasgow region of Scotland, McDermott is not well-known, and he has a rather generic look to him. He could easily blend in with a crowd.
But equally, it is very difficult to see McDermott staying hidden for so long. Unless he has been helped or protected by someone – something that his sister Margaret believes could be accurate.
If he did murder Tracey, perhaps he decided to leave the area finally. Or if he didn’t, perhaps he wanted to leave the harassment behind.
Theory Two: Adam McDermott took his own life
A very popular theory is that McDermott took his own life. This could have been for many reasons.
If he was guilty, it is possible that the guilt of murdering his niece caught up with him – resulting in him taking his own life.
But if he was innocent, and had to put up with 18 years of harassment and threats, this would surely take a toll on his mental health. He could easily develop mental health problems that could culminate in suicidal thoughts.
But if this is accurate, then why did he not write a letter to express his innocence? Many suicides are well planned – this case doesn’t fit this category. While a letter was allegedly left behind, its contents aren’t clear.
Theory Three: Adam McDermott was murdered by a vigilante
The other main theory is that McDermott was murdered by a vigilante or a mob. It is known that those in the local community didn’t trust McDermott – and believed he was guilty of murdering his niece.
It could be asked why the person or group would wait 18 years to get revenge. But it may have been a well-planned attack. He might have been snatched on his way to the post office and then murdered.
Vigilantes do exist, and when there is a belief that someone slipped through the cracks of law enforcement, some people feel that they should take justice into their own hands. Perhaps this happened, and his body was disposed of.
Reader Vote
With the above theories in mind, we now invite you to cast your vote on the theory that you believe is most likely in the poll below.
Summary
Regardless of the truth of what happened, the case is very sad. An innocent girl lost her life. As for Adam McDermott, only he knows the true story. He either got away with murder, or was the victim of a campaign of hatred and harassment that ruined his life.
The true culprit of Tracey’s murder remains a mystery. She was laid to rest at a cemetery in the village of Elderslie in Scotland.
